Parts Of Lockport Street Will Be Closed As Restaurants Reopen

PLAINFIELD, IL — As Plainfield enters Phase 3 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Reopen Illinois Plan, village officials are trying to keep residents safe, while also ensuring that local business that have been affected by the pandemic-induced financial crisis, can now start to recover.

The governor announced on May 20 that restaurants will be allowed to utilize outdoor seating starting May 29. In response to this, Village Planner Jake Melrose had issued a memo May 21 stating that village staff is proposing the closure of parts of Lockport Street in the downtown area to be utilized for outdoor dining.

Some specifics of the proposal were:

• Lockport Street will be closed from Illinois Street to Des Plaines Street and from Des Plaines Street to Fox River Street.
• Des Plaines Street and Illinois Street will remain open to allow for access to parking lots and curbside pickups for restaurants that will remain crucial to their operation.
• Closure of the street will begin approximately 6:30 a.m. to avoid anyone parking in these areas.
• Table setup time will start approximately 10 a.m. and service to end approximately 8:00 p.m. with street closure ending approximately at 9 p.m.
• Lockport Street from Fox River to James remaining open to allow for more access to parking and curbside pickup for restaurants.
• Alcohol will be permitted for consumption for seated guests only.
• A digital message board will be placed along Route 59 advising Lockport Street is closed.

Proposals were also made regarding the number of tables with 40 tables between Des Plaines and Illinois streets and potentially 20-30 between Des Plaines and Fox River streets. Each restaurant is also required to use their own tables typically used for their outdoor seating and will need to set up and bring in those tables each night.

In terms of service, only those seated can be served food and drinks to be consumed on the street. Patrons who are waiting for a table will be asked to disburse. It is also preferred that those waiting to be seated will be notified via text as to not promote loitering and keep their social distance.

"This is a collaborative effort between the Village of Plainfield and local businesses to make the best of a difficult situation. Again, staff would like to reiterate that this plan is fluid and is a trial basis," Melrose said in the memo. "If the village’s local guidelines for this event or the state’s guidelines for outdoor seating cannot be maintained by each individual business, the village will not be able to continue this event."

During a special Committee of the Whole Workshop on Tuesday, May 26, village board members discussed the plan drafted by the officials to facilitate reopening.

Village Trustee Kevin M. Calkins said he is in support of temporarily closing parts of Lockport Street and hopes "the restaurants can offer indoor dining again soon."

Patricia T. Kalkanis, village trustee said she is also "fully in support of closing Lockport Street and opening up the patios just for the restaurants."

"We have to do this. There is no reason we shouldn't," she said. "Yes it will be hard but nothing is easy. I think with a lot of communication and reinforcement from us, I believe these restaurants and owners are going to be able to work together and actually accomplish this and benefit from it."

She also mentioned that they have received comments from owners of retail shops that are not in favor of this but it is a "part of the compromise" for the greater good of the Plainfield community during these unprecedented times.

At this workshop, Mayor Michael Collins also mentioned that the village is attempting to help those that have been affected by the closing of the restaurants and bars when the all indoor dining services were suspended in March.

"Liquor licenses will be given the option of delayed payment into two payments or just one in June and in December," he said. "We also prorate their fees due to the closure for the last two months."

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